Why prep matters more than ever
FBA prep is the work that makes a unit ready for Amazon to receive, store and ship without additional handling. Amazon ended its own prep and item-labeling services for U.S. inbound shipments in 2026, so units that arrive unprepped are no longer something Amazon fixes for a fee. They can be refused, disposed of, returned at your cost or charged as noncompliant.
This checklist covers the requirements that affect most sellers. Amazon updates its packaging and prep guidance regularly and has category-specific rules, so treat this as a working checklist and confirm details in Seller Central before you finalize a new product's prep spec.
Barcodes and FNSKU labels
Every unit needs one scannable barcode that Amazon can tie to your listing.
- Decide between manufacturer barcodes and Amazon barcodes (FNSKU). FNSKU labels track units to your account, which protects against commingling.
- Print labels with good contrast on removable or permanent stock as appropriate, sized so they scan reliably.
- Cover any other scannable barcode on the outside of the unit so only one barcode can be read.
- Place labels on a flat surface, not across a seam, curve or edge.
- Never place an FNSKU on the master carton in a way that could be scanned as a unit.
Most receiving delays traced to labels come from a second scannable barcode left uncovered or a label wrapped around a curve.
Polybags and protective prep
Protective prep depends on what the product is and how it could be damaged or cause damage.
- Polybags must be transparent, at least 1.5 mil thick and fully sealed, with a suffocation warning printed or labeled when the opening is 5 inches or larger.
- The FNSKU must be scannable through the bag or placed on the outside.
- Fragile items such as glass and ceramics need protection that survives a drop test, often bubble wrap or a sturdy box, so no corners or edges are exposed.
- Sharp items need edges covered so they cannot cut through packaging or injure handlers.
- Textiles, plush and items that could get dusty or damaged generally need bagging.
If a product is borderline, prep it to the safer standard. The cost of a bag is small compared with a damaged-on-receipt write-off.
Liquids, powders and small items
Liquids, creams, gels and powders have their own rules because a leak can damage other inventory.
- Liquid containers need a secondary seal or cap that will not open in transit, such as a heat seal, a cap tied in place or tape.
- Glass containers and larger liquid volumes are typically bagged so a leak stays contained.
- Powders and granular products in containers that could open should be sealed and bagged.
- Very small items, such as jewelry or items below Amazon's minimum dimensions, may need to be bagged or boxed so they can be labeled and do not get lost.
For anything flammable, pressurized or corrosive, stop and check whether the product is a dangerous good before it is prepped at all. Dangerous goods follow a separate review and shipping process.
Sets, bundles and multipacks
Sets and bundles need to stay together and be recognizable as one unit.
- Bundle components so they cannot separate: shrink wrap, a bag or a box.
- Apply a "Sold as set" or "Do not separate" label so receiving does not break the bundle apart.
- Cover the individual component barcodes so only the bundle's FNSKU can be scanned.
- Make sure the bundle matches the listing exactly in quantity and contents.
Multipacks of the same product follow the same logic. A common failure is a six-pack shrink-wrapped with each can's UPC still visible; receiving scans one can and the bundle becomes six mismatched units.
Expiration-dated products
Products with expiration dates need dates on each unit and on the master carton.
- Use an Amazon-accepted date format such as MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY.
- Put the date on the outside of each master carton in large, legible type.
- Do not mix lots with different expiration dates in a single carton unless Amazon's rules allow it for your case.
- Check remaining shelf life before shipping; Amazon requires a minimum amount at receipt and removes units as they approach expiry.
- Rotate stock first-expired, first-out upstream so Amazon always receives your freshest-possible lots.
Thresholds vary by category, so confirm current requirements before you plan a season.
Cartons and pallets
Carton and pallet prep is the final step and the one that affects a whole shipment at once.
- Keep standard boxes within Amazon's limits: 25 inches on any side and 50 pounds, unless a single oversize item requires more.
- Label single items over 50 pounds as team lift and over 100 pounds as mechanical lift.
- Use sturdy, undamaged boxes without old labels or markings.
- Apply the correct FBA carton label to each box and submit box content information for every carton.
- For LTL, build on 40-by-48-inch pallets, stack within height and weight limits, stretch-wrap and label all four sides.
Carton errors are especially costly because a mislabeled pallet can hold up every unit on it.
Building a repeatable prep spec
The best way to stay compliant is to write a prep spec for every SKU and follow it every time. A good spec lists the barcode type and label position, bag or wrap requirement, warning labels, units per carton, carton dimensions and weight, and pallet configuration.
Review specs when Amazon updates its requirements, when you change packaging and when a shipment is flagged. Keep a photo of a correctly prepped unit and carton for each SKU. Whether you prep in-house or with a 3PL, the spec becomes the shared standard and the first thing to check when something goes wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Does Amazon still prep inventory for sellers?
No, not for U.S. inbound shipments. Amazon ended its prep and item-labeling services in 2026, so units must arrive prepped and labeled.
When does a polybag need a suffocation warning?
When the bag's opening is 5 inches or larger. The warning must be printed on the bag or applied as a label.
What is the maximum carton size for FBA?
Standard cartons should not exceed 25 inches on any side or 50 pounds, unless a single oversize item requires a larger or heavier box with the appropriate lift labels.